Night Shade Vegetables

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Night shade vegetables share a common trait, they containing alkaloids and have a bad reputation on joints, arthritis and one’s nervous system. Never heard of night shade vegetables? Perhaps, you’ve heard of potatoes, cayenne pepper, pimentos, paprika, tomatillos, eggplant, sweet and hot peppers and tomatoes? These foods all contain alkaloids and have been shown to impact nerve muscle function and digestive function.

Night shade vegetables originate from the solanaceae family. In the beginning, it was believed night shade vegetables were poisonous or had evil side effects, hence the name. The amount of alkaloids in potatoes can be indicated by sprouted spots in potatoes and is a result of defense against insects . The sprouted part should be efficiently removed before cooking and use. In scientific terms, alkaloids can be indicated by at least one ring structure containing nitrogen. The alkaloids that are produced as a byproduct of plant activity help protect plants from insects.

Types:

steroid alkaloids–complicated ring structure; found in potatoes and tomatoes

tropane alkaloids–all from amino acid ornithine; less commonly found in alkaloids

A lot of night shade vegetables have come under scrutiny in regards to their impact on health since a high consumption of alkaloids have been questioned. As stated before, alkaloids are produced as a protective shield against insects.

Can inhibit enzyme activity, such as cholinesterase inhibition causing problems with nervous system